Dianthus plant named &#39;DIAN31&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Dianthus  cultivar named ‘DIAN31’ is disclosed, characterized by low maintenance, robust outdoor growth as well as hardy to USDA zone 5. The new variety is very floriferous and perpetual flowering. The new variety is a  Dianthus , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Dianthus plumarius

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘DIAN31’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Dianthus cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Gavriel Danziger, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Dianthus varieties for ornamental commercial applications. The cross resulting in this new variety was made during October of 2009.

The seed parent is the unpatented, proprietary seedling variety referred to as Dianthus plumarius ‘Acc. 1’ The pollen parent is the unpatented, proprietary seedling variety referred to as Dianthus plumarius ‘Acc. 9’. The new variety was discovered in November of 2010 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from the 2009 crossing, in a research greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was performed by vegetative cuttings. This was first performed at a research greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel in December of 2010 and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DIAN31’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DIAN31’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DIAN31’ as a new and distinct Dianthus cultivar:

1. Very floriferous. 2. Robust outdoor performance. 3. Low maintenance in garden situations. 4. Perpetual flowering. 5. Hardy to USDA zone 5

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DIAN31’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, Dianthus plumarius ‘Acc. 1’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DIAN31’ is much more floriferous than the seed parent. ‘DIAN31’ also has a perpetual flowering habit whereas seed parent flowers only in the spring. Additionally, ‘DIAN31’ has looser/flexible (more relaxed) growth; habit leaves and stems are not as stiff as the seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DIAN31’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent; Dianthus plumarius ‘Acc. 9’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DIAN31’ is hardy to USDA zone 5, whereas the pollen parent is less resistant to low temperatures. ‘DIAN3131’ is more robust than the pollen parent; generally ‘DIAN31’ is more suitable for a broad range of environmental conditions than the pollen parent. Also ‘DIAN31’ produces smaller flowers that stand above the foliage; the pollen parent's flowering is larger and lower (partially hidden in the foliage).

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DIAN31’ are comparable to the unpatented, commercial Dianthus variety ‘Gepo’. The two Dianthus varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DIAN31’ produces a semi double, magenta colored flower, whereas comparator ‘Gepo’ produces a single form flower of dark lilac color. ‘DIAN31’ also has a perpetual flowering habit, whereas comparator ‘Gepo’ flowers only in the spring. Additionally ‘DIAN31’ is less compact in habit than comparator ‘Gepo’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DIAN31’ can also be compared to the unpatented, commercial Dianthus variety ‘Kahori’ These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however ‘DIAN31’ produces a semi double, magenta colored flower, whereas comparator ‘Kahori’ produces a single form flower of pink-lavender color. ‘DIAN31’ is shorter in height; 20 cm compared to 35 cm of comparator ‘Kahori’. Additionally ‘DIAN31’ has good flower form (open petals) compared to incurved petals of comparator ‘Kahori’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘DIAN31’ grown in a greenhouse, in a 5 inch pot. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 14 weeks from a rooted cutting. FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a close up of a typical bloom of ‘DIAN31’. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Mini Colour Chart 2005 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DIAN31’ plants grown in a greenhouse during the Fall in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The growing temperature ranged from 18° C. to 25° C. during the day and from 8° C. to 12° C. during the night. General light conditions are bright, normal sunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Dianthus plumarius ‘DIAN31’ -   Propagation:     -   -   Time to initiate roots.—About 10 days at approximately 24°             C.         -   Time to produce a rooted cutting.—About 18 days at 24° C. -   Plant:     -   -   Age of plant described.—Approximately 14 weeks from rooted             cutting.         -   Pot size.—5 inch.         -   Plant type.—Medium compact, upright perennial.         -   Plant spread.—Approximately 16 cm.         -   Height.—Approximately 20 cm.         -   Growth rate.—Planting to flower 10-12 weeks.         -   Length plant stem.—Average 15 cm.         -   Diameter of plant stem.—Approximately 0.5 cm.         -   Quantity stems.—Approximately 5-6.         -   Stem.—Color: Near RHS group Greyed-Green 189A Texture:             Smooth.         -   Internode length.—Average 4 cm. -   Foliage:     -   -   Leaf.—Arrangement: Opposite (in pairs) Quantity:             Approximately 4-6 per stem. Average Length: Approximately             7-8 cm. Average Width: Approximately 0.5 cm. Shape of blade:             Elongated Apex: Pointed Base: Square Attachment: Sessile             Margin: Entire Texture of top surface: Smooth Pubescence:             None Color: Young foliage upper side: Near RHS group             Greyed-Green 189A Young foliage under side: Near RHS group             Greyed-Green 189A Mature foliage upper side: Near RHS group             Greyed-Green 189A Mature foliage under side: Near RHS group             Greyed-Green 189A Venation: Type: One central Venation color             upper side: Near RHS group Greyed-Green 189A Venation color             under side: Near RHS group Greyed-Green 189A. -   Flower:     -   -   Natural flowering season.—Perpetual flowering.         -   Inflorescence type and habit.—Branching and upright.         -   Flower longevity on plant.—2-3 weeks.         -   Quantity of flowers.—Very high.         -   Flowers persistent or self cleaning.—Persistent shrinking.         -   Fragrance.—Mild.         -   Inflorescence size.—Diameter: Approximately 4 cm. Height:             Approximately 20 cm.         -   Individual flower size.—Diameter: Approximately 2.5 cm.             Length: Approximately 2-2.25 cm.         -   Petals, excluding tube.—Petal arrangement: Inconcentric             whorls Margin: Mildly serrated Apex: Blunt & rounded Length:             2.5 cm Width: 1.0 cm Petal quantity: 24 Texture: Smooth             Aspect: Upright and bending outward.         -   Color.—When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS group             Red-Purple 61B Lower surface: Near RHS group Red-Purple 68A             Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS group Red-Purple 61B             Lower surface: Near RHS group Red-Purple 68A.         -   Fading.—Upper surface: Near RHS group Red-Purple 71A Lower             surface: Near RHS group Red-Purple 70C.         -   Tube.—General description: Tube consists of the elongated,             unfused base of the petals. Tube shape caused by a fused             calyx. Length: 1.5 cm Width: 0.5 cm Texture: Smooth.         -   Color.—When opening: Upper surface: Near RHS group             Greyed-Green 189A Lower surface: Near RHS group Greyed-Green             189A Fully opened: Upper surface: Near RHS group             Greyed-Green 189A Lower surface: Near RHS group Greyed-Green             189A Fading: Upper surface: No fading Lower surface: No             fading.         -   Bud.—Shape: Elongated cylinder Length: Average 2 cm             Diameter: Average 0.6 cm Color: Near RHS group Greyed-Green             189A.         -   Sepals.—Quantity: 5 Shape: Elongated and pointed at end             Length: Approximately 1.5 cm Width: Approximately 0.3 cm             Margin: Smooth Apex: Pointed Texture: Smooth Color: Near RHS             group Greyed-Green 189A.         -   Bracteoles.—Shape: Identical to sepals but shorter Quantity             per flower: 4 Length: Approximately 0.5 cm Width:             Approximately 0.3 cm Margin: Smooth Texture: Smooth Color:             Near RHS group Greyed-Green 189A.         -   Peduncle.—Length: Average 10 cm. Diameter: 0.25 cm Color:             Near RHS group Greyed-Green 189A Orientation: Upright             Strength: Rigid.         -   Pedicel.—Length: Average 5 cm. Diameter: 0.1 cm Color: Near             RHS group Greyed-Green 189A Orientation: Upright Strength:             Flexible, elastic. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—Number: Varies according to season, most poorly             developed. Filament length: Approximately 0.5 cm.         -   Anthers.—Shape: Oblong when well developed Length:             Approximately 0.2 cm Color: Near RHS group Black 202C             Pollen: Viable.         -   Pistil.—Number: 2-4 Length: Approximately 2.3 cm Style:             Length: Approximately 1.5 cm Color: Near RHS group             Red-Purple 69B.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Tubular and bending Color: Near RHS group             Red-Purple 69B Ovary shape: Oblong Ovary diameter: 0.3 cm             Ovary length: 0.9 cm. -   Other characteristics:     -   -   Seeds and fruits.—Not observed to date.         -   Disease/pest resistance.—Typical for Dianthus.         -   Temperature tolerance.—USDA zone 5 tolerant. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus plant named ‘DIAN31’ as herein illustrated and described. 